What does “retort” mean?
- 1
verbto reply quickly in an angry or clever way
“That’s none of your business,” she retorted.
- 2
nouna quick, sharp or witty reply
He had a clever retort for every insult.
Retort at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb & noun
- CEFR level
- C2 (proficient)
- Pronunciation
- /rɪˈtɔrt/ · rih-TORT
How to use “retort” correctly
Mainly a literary reporting verb used with direct speech, like “reply” but sharper.
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- reply
- respond
- riposte
“retort” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- admonish verbC2to tell someone firmly that they have done something wrong
- beseech verbC2to ask someone for something in an urgent, emotional way
- chastise verbC2to criticize someone severely for doing something wrong
- confer verbC2to discuss something with others before deciding
- contend verbC2to say firmly that something is true, especially in an argument
- enjoin verbC2to order or strongly urge someone to do something
- entreat verbC2to ask someone very seriously or emotionally to do something
- exalt verbC2to praise someone or something very highly